What Is A Protein Shake
There has been a lot written in the press recently about the virtues of taking protein shakes post workout. But what are they? do they work? Firstly let me explain what they are and apparently what they claim to do (I say apparently because there is still such diverse research on this subject)
Most protein powders contain a large amount of simple carbohydrates that get delivered straight to your muscles (apparently) helping the muscle to grow in size. However there seems to be some confusion about the difference between protein shakes and mass gainers? Protein shakes help to deliver amino acids to muscle cells which can help them to recover after a workout. Mass gainers are typically used to ‘bulk up’ the muscle.
Insta Muscles
I am sure many of us have seen countless Insta Stories, Facebook posts shouting the virtues of consuming protein powders? Normally this claim is accompanied by some muscle bound person holding a protein shake proclaiming “XXXX Protein Shake Is What I Use” Hmm really? what about the countless hours in the gym lifting weights.
And what has happened to the good ‘old fashioned’ way of eating natural protein? The protein that you get from chicken, fish, eggs, nuts etc If you follow a healthy diet and are looking to increase your muscle mass why not consume protein rich foods rather than a shake? Is it just a case of grabbing what we perceive to be a quick fix?
To make a protein shake takes a lot less time than cooking chicken breasts for example. However, how long does it take to scramble an egg or grab a handful of almonds. So is that perception really true?
The UKs demand for high protein products has rocketed over the last 10 years. Mainstream brands are making a fortunate out of our demand – an expected £413 million this year alone? oh. my. word. Yes that needed three full stops. No wonder we are being told “You Need Protein Shakes In Your Diet”
Research
Danny Commane, a lecturer in nutritional science at the University Of Reading suggests that eating more protein could help increase muscle mass but the fact that people were already consuming much more protein than they needed this made supplements unnecessary.
So why are we obsessed with drinking our protein? I think its a case of product placement in supermarkets, product endorsements by our favourite celebrities and buying in to the hype. If you see if enough you will believe it, if you believe it you will buy it.
What camp are you in? Personally I have never felt the need to use them. Instead I rely on a healthy protein rich diet and a good exercise regime to create the muscle tone that I want. However I have a friend who swears by them and wouldn’t be without hers.
Perhaps rather than throwing our money into the pockets of the mainstream brands, we should first look at our own diet. We are probably consuming more natural protein than we think.
Have you tried protein powders? Have they worked for you?
About Niki Wibrow
Niki is a fitness, health, and yoga expert specialising in helping ladies over 40 look and feel great through innovative and personalised exercise plans. Niki is a regular contributor to many TV and Radio Shows, and has worked with major brands such as Netflix and Matalan laughing unique workout programmes for real people. Her celebrity workout DVDs are sold in excess of 500,000 copies to date.
Check out Nikis other blog posts HERE https://www.nikiwibrow.co.uk
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